Adding OEM tow group after purchase

47183 Views 60 Replies 31 Participants Last post by jongri, 5 mo ago

rydaddy

Discussion Starter · Sep 13, 2016

Hello all,

First post here and new owner of a new Pacifica Touring-L Plus. I had always envisioned towing a popup trailer sometime in the future. Most trailers I have seen gross in weight from 2000-3000 pounds (some small ones can be lighter). The van I purchased did not have the factory tow group and I asked the dealer if it could be added since I loved all the other options with this particular van. Dealer says he wanted to avoid doing that and suggested I go to uhaul for a significant savings. He also said it would be able to tow 3600 pounds.

Well, yesterday I start reading through the manual and came across the towing capacity section. Turns out even if I get the aftermarket setup, I will still not be able to tow up to 3600 pounds, only 1500 pounds. Needless to say I was a little disappointed. I plan to call the salesman later today let him know. I did call the parts department to ask if I can add the tow package and he went through the list of parts (radiator, alternator, etc) and seemed to make it sound impossible.

My questions are...

1. Has anybody had success (or even attempted) to add the factory tow package after purchasing the vehicle?

2. Has anbody towed greater than 2000 pounds with an aftermarket setup?

3. Would I be crazy to tow (on rare occasions, btw) more than the 1500 pound limit?

I appreciate any feedback you might have and look forward to being a member of these forums!

1 - 20 of 61 Posts

Jrparne

· #2 · Sep 14, 2016

I had this come up with my sale. The dealer thought they could put it on but come to find out it is too much to install everything after the fact. We worked it out with the dealer and ordered one from the factory with the tow kit. That's the only way to get it legally to the 3600 lbs. the dealer can't put in the electronics for the anti trailer sway and the adapter for the brake control. The rest of the pieces are just swapping out radiators and alternators. It's too expensive for them though.

Reactions: 1

rydaddy

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 14, 2016

Thanks for the reply. I would have gone the ordering route had I known about the 1500 lb weight limit with non factory towing. Guess I'll be looking for one of those "ultralight" campers...

azcreeker

· #4 · Oct 24, 2016

let us know how it worked

Fastskiguy

· #5 · Oct 29, 2016

Yeah I'd love to hear what you end up doing too, thanks

ferg

· #6 · Dec 1, 2016

OP - We're doing a similar scenario in about a week. We wanted the tow package but the car didn't come with it so the dealer is adding the hitch and trailer wiring for us and modifying the rear bumper and rear hatch sensors. In our case, we wanted the hitch mainly for hauling bicycles and don't have plans to tow a trailer (although my wife thinks she would like to have a pop-up camper someday). It's supposed to look like a factory installation, but we won't be getting the larger radiator, alternator, anti-sway, or brake controller.

That said, in a pinch, I'm not that concerned about towing 3600lbs a short distance, but I wouldn't make a habit of it. Repeatedly towing at a vehicles limit, I feel, is asking for problems.

ferg

· #7 · Dec 15, 2016

Update - I picked up the car a couple of days ago after having the mopar hitch installed and I think using factory parts makes it look so much cleaner. We negotiated adding the hitch installation at the time of purchase, but cost wise, it would've been cheaper to buy it from the factory with the towing package. However, the only match was over 600miles away and I didn't want to order one and wait 6 weeks.

In reality, we're never really going to "tow" with this vehicle, so the towing package limits are irrelevant. Apologies for the bad pic.

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drboom

· #8 · Dec 16, 2016

Would you mind posting approximately what the charge was for this? I have a touring-L that I'd like to do the same thing to.
Thanks, Jon

ferg

· #9 · Dec 16, 2016

drboom said:
Would you mind posting approximately what the charge was for this? I have a touring-L that I'd like to do the same thing to.
Thanks, Jon

It was nearly $1000 parts & labor. Took two days to install it - was told it would be done in one day, but it didn't happen.

Gohawks1224

· #10 · Dec 16, 2016

the main difference is the HD radiator which I believe has a tranny cooler with it (don't quote me on that). The electronic sway control could care less if it was 3600 or 1000. The frame is still the same, the brakes do not get changed out, the tranny still the same. So, swap out your radiator with a HD radiator, add your class II receiver and tow away (while also voiding your warranty).

Reactions: 1

Nails1

· #11 · Dec 16, 2016

No special tranny cooler with factory tow package. All Pacifica's have an external tranny cooler stock with the same part number. It is capable enough to handle towing duty. No trailer sway control unless you get the tow package. Just standard stability control.

ferg

· #12 · Dec 16, 2016

From what I read, the tow package radiator is 0.4L larger than standard.

With or without a factory towing package, it would be awful to drive pulling that much weight. I think they intended the hitch to be used for a jetski trailer, cargo basket, bike rack, canoe trailer, small landscaping trailer, small fishing boat, etc.

Reactions: 1

Razorbackfan

· #13 · Jan 4, 2017

I didn't get the factory tow package either so I had the dealer put together a package that put me at 17k towing, it's the most expensive route but I'm happy with it.

generaltso

· #14 · Jan 4, 2017

Razorbackfan said:
I didn't get the factory tow package either so I had the dealer put together a package that put me at 17k towing, it's the most expensive route but I'm happy with it.

What do you mean by 17k towing?

Razorbackfan

· #15 · Jan 4, 2017

generaltso said:
What do you mean by 17k towing?

I bought a Ram 2500 as my tow package

Reactions: 4

Fastskiguy

· #16 · Jan 5, 2017

Razorbackfan said:
I bought a Ram 2500 as my tow package

Ha ha, that's a good one Sir!

Reactions: 2

generaltso

· #17 · Jan 5, 2017

Razorbackfan said:
I bought a Ram 2500 as my tow package

That's the right kind of tow package!

Reactions: 1

hevaKmaI

· #18 · Jan 12, 2017

Tow Hitch Installation Possible?

For any who already took delivery, I'd be really curious to see if you could still install the OEM tow hitch to the chassis (for use with bike racks, etc).

generaltso

· #19 · Jan 12, 2017

hevaKmaI said:
For any who already took delivery, I'd be really curious to see if you could still install the OEM tow hitch to the chassis (for use with bike racks, etc).

Hi hevaKmaI. I've merged your thread into this existing one on the topic.

ferg

· #20 · Jan 13, 2017

2

hevaKmaI said:
For any who already took delivery, I'd be really curious to see if you could still install the OEM tow hitch to the chassis (for use with bike racks, etc).

Sure can. We didn't get the anti-sway and larger radiator, but it wasn't a concern of ours. Here's some terrible quality before and after pics.

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Reactions: 2

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